Kirill, a 17 yr old boy from Slavyansk also came to the UK for a one year education in 2017 under the care of Theotrust.
Kirill and his three siblings, along with mum, dad and Babushka (Grandmother) elected to flee their home at the beginning of the war. They drove the 1450km to the Polish border, an horrific journey during which we kept in regular touch with the family. After an eleven hour wait at the border in freezing conditions, they spent the first four days at a refugee centre near to Warsaw. Theotrust coordinated onward travel for them to a village three hours west where wonderful assistance from Polish contacts in the UK have provided Kirill and his family with a small apartment to stay in. Mum and Dad have been offered (and accepted!) work whilst schools have been found for the children to continued their education. Theotrust shall continue to support this family in whatever way necessary.
August 2022
Kirill and family recently negotiated a small home in a nearby town to Miejska Gorka thus enabling mum to travel to work more easily and for Kirill and his sister to attend the nearby 6th form college. Kirill is also delighted to have been helped by Theotrust with the purchase of a secondhand bicycle, a cycling passion that Kirill has retained from his time in England.
26th March 2022
Theotrust trustee James visited Kirill and his family at their ’new home’ in Miejska Gorka, Poland. A chance to catch up since they fled Ukraine and see how life is progressing for the family. Dad and mum have been given jobs in the local area whilst Kirill and his siblings are all attending the local school. Babushka is with them too.
There’s no doubt the upheaval has taken its toll on the family and they feel unsettled and insecure. Decisions on whether to stay or move to a different part of Poland or even another country are very much in their minds. Understandably, mention of what they had back home, what they had given up and how much they missed their life in Ukraine was a frequent reminder of just how much the war has affected families.
Wed 23rd March
Our Theotrust Polish helper, Paulina, has today visited Kirill and his family at their new home in Miejska Gorka, Poland
Our Polish friends were ready to receive Kirill and his family! This is what they were greeting with upon opening the fridge!
The family were truly overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness shown to them in Poland. They shall stay at this house for the first few months of their arrival in Poland.